Phoenix Crown Blood Python, Crimson Blood Fruit

“Hiss, the strength of beast cultivators is truly terrifying,” Song Cheng clicked his tongue from the side.

Stealing my lines...

Yu Daoyi shot him a glance, but was quickly drawn back into the battle unfolding before them.

He mused silently: they're all humans, after all; Qingshan Town isn’t that big, and chances are, they might even recognize each other if they looked closely. But this way of meeting was awkward—what could they do, stand around and stare forever? That wouldn’t do. So! As the protagonist—

Should I run, or run, or perhaps... run? What a headache of a decision.

No help for it—I’m a weakling. In the third stage of Qi Refining, I’m barely a morsel for these monsters. I’m not really a pushover, but I can’t fill your belly, either.

“Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python—a serpent-type beast, fond of shadows, without venom, but exceedingly swift and powerful in attack. It possesses territorial awareness. These people must have wandered inadvertently into its domain and attracted its attention,” Song Qiuling explained calmly.

“A mature Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python can reach the level of a second-tier beast—that is, Foundation Establishment. The fleshy crown atop its head transforms into two horns. It’s even rumored that deep in the rear mountains, there are third-tier Phoenix-Crowned Blood Pythons. There aren’t many of these beasts in the rear mountains to begin with, and since we’re still on the outskirts, it’s unlikely such high-tier monsters would appear. This one has clearly reached the peak of the first tier,” she added.

“That’s the usual case, but people die for wealth, birds for food—greed cannot be stopped,” Yu Daoyi shrugged his small hands.

“What do you mean?” Song Qiuling turned to ask.

“There—look.”

Following Yu Daoyi’s gesture, Song Qiuling saw behind the Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python a tree, deep red from trunk to leaf. It was small, pitifully so compared to the towering trees nearby, and bore seven or eight fruits.

The fruits were red, unremarkable aside from their color, and if not for the thick aura of spiritual energy they emitted, would easily be overlooked.

“Scarlet Blood Fruit!” Song Cheng exclaimed in awe, staring at the tree.

“Scarlet Blood Fruit—a rare and wondrous fruit, packed with immense spiritual energy. It can restore both energy and injuries. If I refined one, I’d instantly reach the peak of Qi Refining’s third stage, maybe even step into the fourth. And they have no side effects,” Yu Daoyi licked his lips and continued, “If made into a pill—if I recall correctly, it’s called the Blood-Breaking Pill, with Scarlet Blood Fruit as the main ingredient—it’s priceless among Qi Refining cultivators. With enough Blood-Breaking Pills, even the worst cultivator could reach the ninth stage of Qi Refining.”

“So you’re saying they started fighting over the Scarlet Blood Fruit?”

“In this world, who can resist the lure of treasure? But those fools must not have realized that a beast guarded the fruit. Completely captivated, they tried to pick them, only to be discovered. With just five people, they’d never be able to snatch the fruit from under the python’s nose—that’s pure wishful thinking. Surely they weren’t so stupid as to throw their lives away.”

“The fruit has clearly been ripe for some time now. Most likely, the python intended to use them when advancing to second-tier. Otherwise, they’d have been gone long ago, and these unlucky souls wouldn’t have stumbled across them. It’s strange that such rare fruit would appear on the outskirts and remain unpicked; surely there’s a beast guarding them. Those idiots didn’t even think.”

Song Qiuling glanced at Yu Daoyi’s delicate profile, surprised he could analyze so much so quickly—so unlike his usual brainless manner. After all, this was the same genius who could somehow read a map backwards.

“We should leave quickly. The fact that these Scarlet Blood Fruits are still out here speaks volumes,” Yu Daoyi urged.

“What does it mean?” Song Cheng asked, bewildered.

Yu Daoyi’s face darkened. Couldn’t this guy cooperate somewhere else? If he kept dragging his feet, they’d be spotted! Then what? Throw him out as bait?

“The Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python is bloodthirsty. For these fruits to remain here, untouched and ripened, means that anyone who’s seen them and coveted them is already dead! The beast's thoughts may not be as complex as ours, but it has cultivated intelligence—it’s not stupid! If you had such a treasure and someone found it, wouldn’t you kill everyone to prevent them from bringing others and raiding your lair?”

Yu Daoyi covered his face, feeling a little embarrassed for his junior.

“Oh, I see now,” Song Cheng said, suddenly enlightened.

Song Qiuling felt uneasy—her own brother had just been outwitted by this idiot. How shameful. She’d have to “teach” him thoroughly when they got home.

“Retreat, retreat! Another day, I’ll ask Father to bring people and clean this place out,” Song Cheng turned to leave, his legs trembling.

Terrified.

Mother of mercy! This weakling always speaks in half-sentences! Why not just say, ‘If we don’t leave, we’ll die’? If we’re discovered, we’ll be killed—who can bear that? Song Cheng muttered under his breath.

Whatever, as long as I run fast enough, the python won’t notice me.

“Huh, why did it get so dark? Is it going to rain? Forget it—better head home and take in the laundry. The outside world is scary,” Song Cheng mumbled in confusion.

Rain? Take in the laundry? As if you could even get home!

Yu Daoyi looked up, then at Song Cheng, speechless. When did this guy’s brain go haywire? Was it contagious?

No, my mind is perfectly fine.

Song Cheng walked a few steps, noticed no one followed, and turned back, puzzled, “Let’s go! If we’re discovered, what then—throw me out as food?”

Suddenly, the Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python, over ten yards in length, reared up, its body towering like a ten-story building. Its long shadow fell over the group. Its head was fierce, eyes glowing red, cold vertical pupils staring right at them.

…it’s spotted me. Song Cheng felt awful inside.

And this weakling, hearing Song Cheng’s words, was deeply moved!

Even if your mind is questionable, your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others is touching. You’ll always live on in our hearts! I swear I’ll burn incense for you next year!

“Don’t worry! Being bait only hurts for a moment. We’ll always remember you! Sacrificing yourself for others, you’ll be a hero!” Yu Daoyi patted Song Cheng’s shoulder, speaking with grave sincerity.

??????

I was just joking! Don’t take it seriously! Why are you all looking at me like that? Sis, you’re my real sister! Why are you staring at me too? The Song Family needs me to carry on the bloodline!

Song Qiuling regretted coming out at all! This idiot aside, her brother definitely needed Father to have another child—maybe spending too much time with certain people made him hopeless.

In the distance, the group saw the Phoenix-Crowned Blood Python pause its attack and gaze in their direction. They let out a breath and looked over as well.

“Qiuling, little brother Song Cheng?” one of them gasped.

His clothes were tattered, but beneath was a soft armor protecting him. If not for it, he would have ended up in the snake’s maw. His sharp-featured face was streaked with blood, and where there wasn’t blood, it was deathly pale. The hands gripping his sword trembled, as if utterly exhausted.

Song Qiuling and Song Cheng, hearing someone call their names, peered closely into the distance.

“Cousin?” Song Cheng exclaimed after sizing him up.

Yu Daoyi watched from the side, speechless—now is not the time for family reunions! If you don’t act soon, you can chat inside the python’s belly!

I don’t want to die! I’m the protagonist! If I get eaten by an ugly python, how will I ever hold my head up again? How humiliating!

Oh, but… if I’m eaten, there’ll be no ‘after’ at all…